The Impact of Caregiving a Child with Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study of Experiences of Zimbabwean Caregivers

Abstract

Background: Paediatric cancer is a global problem that has been on the rise especially in low resource settings. Children with cancer often require routine specialist medical treatment and informal caregivers are an essential resource for optimal treatment outcomes. Long-term caregiving may lead to psychosocial, physical and economic burden in informal caregivers. However, the impact of caregiving a child with cancer in low resource setting is relatively unknown. Method: A cross sectional survey was carried out on 48 caregivers of children with cancer who were conveniently selected in Harare, Zimbabwe. Caregiver burden and HRQoL were measured using the caregiver strain index and EQ-5D respectively. Results: Most of the caregivers were female (79.2%), educated (95.8%) and unemployed (75%). Caregivers reported high burden with mean CSI scores 7.4 (SD 2.7) and poorer HRQoL, with mean EQ-5D scores of 68.8 (21.7). Conclusions and implications: There seem to be empirical evidence that caregiving may negatively affect health outcomes of caregivers. Therefore, there is need for routine and early screening of caregivers at risk of burden. More so, it is important to provide appropriate caregiver support services. There is also a need to develop context-specific interventions aimed at increasing caregivers HRQoL and reducing the burden of care.